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Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi: The Akshaya Patra Foundation marked a significant milestone on March 17, 2026, commemorating 25 years of service and the delivery of 5 billion meals, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The event brought together senior government officials, policymakers, philanthropists, and stakeholders to celebrate the organization’s contribution to child nutrition and education in India.
President of India Droupadi Murmu attended the event as Chief Guest, while Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan was present as Guest of Honour. The gathering was also attended by the Foundation’s founders, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman and President of ISKCON Bangalore, and Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman and Senior Vice President, along with members of the Board of Trustees, partners, and supporters.
The event, held under the theme “Suposhit and Sushikshit Bharat for Viksit Bharat,” underscored the importance of ensuring adequate nutrition and quality education as key pillars for India’s development. Past beneficiaries of the Foundation, along with students, parents, teachers, and staff from government schools, were also present. As part of the celebration, President Murmu interacted with children, distributed gifts, and served meals.
As an implementing partner of the Government of India’s flagship PM POSHAN initiative, the Akshaya Patra Foundation has been providing freshly prepared, nutritious meals to schoolchildren across the country. The organization currently serves approximately 2.35 million children through its kitchens located in 78 regions across 16 states and three Union Territories. It aims to expand its reach to 3 million children daily by 2030.
Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said, “Serving five billion meals in advancement of educational objectives is the remarkable achievement of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. The theme of this event, ‘From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India’, underscores the significance of a nourished and educated society in realizing our national resolve to build ‘Viksit Bharat’ by the year 2047.”
“A safe and bright future for our children is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of us all,” she added adding when teachers, parents, social organizations, the corporate sector, and every segment of society work together, then there is a way to lay a strong foundation for the coming generation.
She emphasized the need to ensure that every child receives “quality education, nutritious food, good health, and a clean and safe environment,” noting that these essential elements are critical for the holistic development of children.
The President highlighted that education is the “instrument” that shapes opportunities in an individual’s life and lays the foundation for success. It also serves as a powerful means of “transformation and empowerment.” She noted that the process of empowerment and capacity building begins as soon as children enter school, where they acquire the skills and experiences needed to navigate everyday challenges and grow into responsible, conscientious citizens.
She commended the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its sustained efforts over the past 25 years in addressing child malnutrition and encouraging school attendance by providing mid-day meals.
“It is essential that our children, who are the future of the nation, have ready access to nutritious food and quality education,” she said, adding that the Government of India has launched several key initiatives to provide adequate nutrition and improved healthcare services to pregnant women and children.
The school lunch program, implemented under PM POSHAN, has emerged as a strong incentive for parents to send their children to school. Multiple studies indicate that the program has contributed to increased enrollment, attendance, and retention among students.
The President noted a significant improvement in children’s learning outcomes and academic performance. She also expressed satisfaction that the Akshaya Patra Foundation continues to play an important role in advancing the objectives of ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan,’ which seeks to ensure quality and inclusive education for all children by 2030.
“Children are not merely beneficiaries of the free meal program. They are the architects of the nation’s bright future,” she said. “The nutritious food they receive today is an investment in our nation’s human capital. The healthy, educated and energetic children will constitute India’s workforce and play a pivotal role in achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.”
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in his remarks, also acknowledged the inspiration drawn from Srila Prabhupada, noting that the initiative has evolved into a large-scale movement rooted in service.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa ji and Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa ji, whose vision laid the foundation of the Akshaya Patra movement,” the Minister said. “The journey of 25 years has not been easy, yet your resolve has remained unwavering. Today, one of the greatest beneficiaries of this Jan Andolan is India’s education sector. Across 16 states and over 25,000 schools, you are providing nutritious meals to 2.35 million children every day. For this, I express my deep appreciation.”
Pradhan emphasized that adequate nutrition is fundamental to unlocking India’s demographic potential. He observed that the country’s development carries implications beyond its borders, particularly in the context of the Global South, and reiterated the importance of the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
“The Akshaya Patra Foundation has emerged as a key implementation partner of the PM POSHAN scheme,” he said, adding that the organization’s focus on quality, hygiene, and innovation has strengthened the program.
He described the collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and philanthropic partners as a model for addressing complex national challenges.
“Nutritious food reaching every child in the country is not just a service but a resolution for the future. This is our responsibility towards the youth of the country,” he noted. “Viksit Bharat by 2047 will only be possible when every child in the country is well-fed and every child stays in school. Let us all together ensure that our vision and resolve reach every child in the country and become the foundation and existence of a Developed India.”
Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and participants for their presence at the event.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble President for kindly gracing today’s event. I also thank the Minister of Education and all other dignitaries for their presence. As we commemorate Akshaya Patra’s 25 years of service to humanity and the milestone of serving 5 billion meals, we reiterate our commitment to work towards Srila Prabhupada’s noble vision that no one should ever go hungry.”
He said the milestone has reinforced the organization’s commitment to expanding its services and reaching more children. Referring to the progress of the PM POSHAN initiative under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he noted improvements in child nutrition and school attendance.
Highlighting the broader vision, he added that India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation requires sustained investment in social programs that address foundational needs such as nutrition and education. He also emphasized the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as a guiding philosophy.
“Hence, we have also extended our feeding mission to geographies outside India,” he said. “With the transformative power of collective compassion of human society, we will surely be able to contribute to building a happier and healthier future for our next generations.”
Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa described the milestone as a moment of collective achievement for all stakeholders associated with the Foundation.
“It is a joyous occasion for Akshaya Patra as we have reached a significant milestone of serving 5 billion cumulative meals in our 25-year journey. We thank all our guests for taking time out of their schedules to participate in today’s event.”
He acknowledged the continued support of the Government of India and various state and Union Territory administrations in enabling the Foundation’s work.
“We thank our donors, partners and well-wishers for joining us in our humble efforts to ensure child nutrition and education through freshly cooked, wholesome meals,” he said. “On this occasion, we express our heartfelt appreciation to all the dedicated full-time missionaries and professionals of Akshaya Patra who have been working tirelessly every day for the welfare of society.”
He further expressed confidence in the strength of the public-private partnership model underpinning the initiative. “We are confident that Akshaya Patra’s successful public-private partnership will help more children gain easy access to nutrition and education, enabling them to contribute to a New and Developed India in the coming years.”
Journey to 5 Billion Meals
Founded in 2000, the Akshaya Patra Foundation was established with the objective of ensuring that no child in India is deprived of education due to hunger. The organization began its operations in Bengaluru, partnering with the Government of Karnataka under the Akshara Dasoha mid-day meal scheme. Over time, it expanded its presence across multiple states and Union Territories with the support of government bodies, donors, and partners.
The Foundation achieved its first major milestone of serving 1 billion meals within 12 years of its inception. In 2012, the milestone was marked by Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys.
Subsequent milestones were commemorated by national leaders, including former President Pranab Mukherjee, who served the 2 billionth meal in 2016, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served the 3 billionth meal in 2019 in Vrindavan.
In 2024, the organization marked the delivery of 4 billion meals at the United Nations headquarters in New York, reflecting its growing international recognition. The 5 billionth meal was served at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Murmu during the current celebration.
About the Foundation
The Akshaya Patra Foundation operates as a not-for-profit organization and serves as a key implementing partner for the Government of India’s PM POSHAN initiative. It functions through a public-private partnership model that brings together central and state governments, corporate entities, and philanthropic donors.
The Foundation’s primary objective is to address classroom hunger and support children’s access to education by providing freshly cooked, nutritious mid-day meals in government and government-aided schools. In addition to meal distribution, its initiatives contribute to broader goals such as improving school attendance, enhancing learning outcomes, and supporting community resilience.
Over the past 25 years, the organization has grown into one of the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programs. Its work has been associated with increased school enrolment and attendance, improved nutritional outcomes, and better academic performance among children.
The Foundation operates a network of automated, technology-enabled kitchens designed to deliver meals at scale while maintaining standards of quality, safety, and hygiene. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders and sustained community engagement, Akshaya Patra aims to expand its reach and further strengthen its role in supporting India’s development goals.
